In 2008 Perrin Brown graduated with a first class honours degree in journalism from La Trobe University in Melbourne. His honours thesis – 'The Chill Effect: Journalists, Their Un-Named Sources and the Issue of Contempt of Court' – explored the legal and ethical complexities and arguments for shield laws in Australia. After starting a PhD research project in the Media and Cinema Studies program at La Trobe University in 2009, Perrin deferred his candidature in August 2010 and plans to return to his field of research on Freedom of Information laws and journalists and news media organisations - soon. Perrin can be contacted via email: pa9brown@students.latrobe.edu.au.